topic Counting variables of specified by user input in Statistical Procedures

Counting variables of specified by user input

jbd13 — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 12:40:33 GMT

I would like to create a macro function that counts the number of missing values for a user-specified set of variables within a user-specified data set. I have written the basic procedure to count missing values for a set of variables. I’m using a data step and just keeping the variable I want to count using the keep statement. What I’d really like to do is have the list of variables in the keep statement as a list which is defined elsewhere. I’ve looked at using a variable list but this seems to rely on using some sort of structured nomenclature which is not present in the variable lists I’ll want to pass.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Counting variables of specified by user input

ballardw — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 18:16:42 GMT

How many variables are you trying to pass?

Depending on actual results needed you might be able to simplify using Proc means or summary to count missing. If something like this works:

proc summary data=have;

var <variables go here>;

output out=want nmiss=;

run;

Then a macro variable or parameter may work.

let varlist = age height weight dob;

proc summary data=have;

var &varlist;

output out=want nmiss=;

run;

Re: Counting variables of specified by user input

jbd13 — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 09:14:01 GMT

Ah great, that works!

I want to have the option to pass between 5 and 10 variables - I didn't realise you could define a macro variable as a list like that so was facing the same problem using proc summary.

Thank you very much for your help.

Re: Counting variables of specified by user input

Patrick — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 09:25:24 GMT

Could you please mark the question as answered?